I am starting to think fall/winter and what I can do to prepare, to do ahead of time. For example this last winter my feet really froze (we have no carpets) so I plan to knit (and buy) a few pairs of wool socks. There is nothing like wool to keep you warm. I have a wool shaw I knitted two years ago and it kept me sooo much warmer, then my polar fleece one. Yes, the wool is more expensive but it does the job.

I also read in a Mary Jane Farm mag, the idea of taking veggies that are starting to go and drying them in my dehydrator. I just set up my dehydrator in my pantry, so I can add bits and bobs to dry. Here a few more ideas I am doing

I am trying to be better about harvesting and preserving this summer. This is a book I really love. She covers a lot of veggies and fruits, beside the typical ones you always read about. Like celeriac, chestnuts, dandelions, herb roots, kohlrabi. She tells what does best canning, freezing, dry, etc. She even has ideas of what to do with corn husks and cobs, after you cut the corn from them.

This is a soup I am going to have in my "fight the cold" arsenal. I plan to have a nice batch in the freezer. Because once you get sick, who wants to make a complicated soup. I will add more garlic, when I serve it.

I picked up a second dehydrator this winter for a few dollars just for this time of year. I've been drying batch after batch of zucchini chips. I just grated a frozen bags of zucchinis for breads and cakes and I'm wading through endless batches of pickles right now. MaryJane inspired me as well to try some new things!
~~Different post, but I just wanted to say WEAR THE HAT TO THE WEDDING!!!! It's fabulous on you, pretty lady!

When fall comes, pick rose hips from wild roses that grew beside the road. The rose hip, when dried, will have a long shelf life. It can be chopped in half or and steeped for tea (or added to teas). Hips have more vitamin C than oranges.

Freeze and home can all you can....berries, fruits, veggies, salsa, relish.

I was thinking about your post and will check out the links..you always have such good link recommends..
What I need to do..I painting projects.
They are much easier to do during the summer out here. I have a ton of frames to paint etc...may not get them all hung etc, but it is truly much easier to spray or brush paint outside than in,safer to because of any fumes.
I am already yard sale-ing here and there with fall and Christmas in mind and future craft projects.

Thank you so much for sharing all these fabulous things! You are so wise to start preparing for Autumn and Winter now! You are such an inspiration to me. I love your beautiful photo and it made me quite ready for fall to be here, especially as hot as it is in Louisiana! I agree that wool is worth the investment, it keeps you much warmer and will last a long time, too. I look forward to seeing the wool socks you will knit, and would love to see your wool shawl. Is it easy to make? If you have the time I would love a tutorial.

I love all the natural ways of building your immune system, as you know we use all natural things too, it is so much safer and better for you! Thank you for all the fabulous links, and wonderful ideas!

Hello Clarice,
I have been putting up Rose Elixir against winter blahs, sore throats and many other complaints (this is from the essential herbal blog) and Raspberry Cordial which, according to research quoted by Rhonda Jean on down---to---earth.blogspot.com is seriously anti-viral (ecoli, staph, salmonella etc)No wonder all the old cookery books always have recipes for Raspberry vinegar/cordial. When did we forget why, I wonder!
It certainly is autumnal here too...cool and damp or just plumb teaming! Gill.

My freezer is filling up with all the berries as they come into season. Blackberries will be next, and best of all, in this neck of the woods there are more than enough for all who dare brave the thorns.

I freeze them plain for putting on cereal in the morning, or for using in cobblers and cakes.
Blackberry Peach jam is wonderfully summery on fresh bread in the winter.
Blackberry syrup is great for a drink and is easily canned.
I'm eager to look at your other links - great topic.

Super ideas, Clarice! Thanks for sharing them. It's fun to read what ideas are considered frugal and in fashion again --- when they are things we've done forever (like growing sprouts in a canning jar). I love your picture with this post!!!

I too am already looking at Fall & Winter. I am planning on trying to knit some slippers that I saw in Mary Jane's recent issue. They don't look too hard for a beginner like me :)

I have been drying fruit and herbs for the upcoming months along with making jams and jellies and freezing the harvest.

I will be trying making those same oil lamps too!

I make a Mulligatawny Soup with lots of garlic, curry, chili powder and cumin that is something I always have in the freezer for cold and flu season :) I try to stock up with an arsenal as well. One thing I like to purchase is instant Ginger crystals by Prince of Peace. these you just add hot water to and are wonderful for a cold, the flu or tummmy issues.Oh, and Mountain Rose Herbs has a wonderful Echinacea & Roots tea for colds.

I have started making my own deodorant. I have been using it for 3 months and it works well (even with gardening in the scorching heat). I posted the recipe on my blog.